Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls stands on the southern shore of Loch Maree in Wester Ross, a remote corner of north-west Scotland. The waterfall tumbles down the Abhainn Garbhaig, a small river that links Loch Garbhaig to the loch. It lies inside Slattadale Forest, managed by Forestry and Land Scotland. A clearly marked trail leads through the woodland to the cascade. The name honours Queen Victoria, who walked this ground in 1877. The site is quiet and seldom crowded, making it a good place to hear the rush of water over rock. The path is firm underfoot and climbs gently through Scots pine and birch. At the viewpoint the full drop is visible, about fifteen metres straight into a deep pool. Visitors can stand close enough to feel spray on their faces in windy weather. Beyond the falls the trail continues into the forest, crossing small burns and rocky knolls. The surrounding hills rise steeply, their slopes covered in heather and bracken. Loch Maree itself stretches away to the north, its islands dotted with Scots pine. The light changes quickly here, turning the water from silver to bronze as clouds pass overhead.